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Archive for September, 2012

A dental implant is a small device that resembles a screw that is surgically placed in gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. It is usually made from titanium, as research has proven this metal most successfully fuses with bone. Tooth implants act much like the root of a natural tooth giving strength and stability to the final restoration it supports.

Adapting excellent oral hygiene habits of daily flossing and brushing with a fluoridated tooth paste or gel is a good start to preventing plaque build-up, a leading cause of gum disease and dental decay.

But even the most fastidious care cannot take the place of a professional cleaning twice per year to remove the plaque that has formed on teeth. An oral exam conducted at the time of the hygiene visit will often catch problems before they can escalate.

However, patients that have suffered tooth loss due to trauma, disease or dental decay can once again enjoy the ability to eat, speak and smile with confidence through dental implants.

The oral surgeon will place the implant where one or more teeth have been lost. Patients that have incurred gum disease that resulted in tooth loss might require additional treatment to make sure gum disease has been cured before embarking on implant surgery.

The dental implant will require four to six months to heal. During this time, the implant is covered with a temporary cover to protect it from movement. However, the patient must be diligent in flossing and caring for the implant as infection is a leading cause of implant failure. The implant will fuse to bone tissue, and once totally healed will be covered with a permanent restoration fabricated to match the shape and shade of surrounding natural teeth.

The dental implant itself and the final restoration are made with metal and porcelain, and even though they become a permanent part of your dental anatomy, they are not prone to decay. However, adjacent teeth require daily hygiene care to stay healthy.

Tobacco use is highly discouraged as research has proven that smokers are more likely to suffer from gum disease than patients who do not use tobacco. Smoking is another major cause attributed to dental implant failure.

The process of a root canal involves a dentist removing diseased pulp tissue and the tooth nerves in order to clear out infection and relieve the pain associated with the infection. A tooth can become infected through bacteria entering into the tooth through cavities caused by tooth decay or damage, or other method of inlet in the enamel and dentin layers, such as lost fillings.

A tooth can have one root canal or several canals containing the dental pulp and nerves, and so it is important that a dentist removes all the diseased pulp from inside the tooth. These canals extend the length of the tooth, from the dental crown to the end of the root, which affixes to the patient’s jaw bone, supplying oxygen and blood flow.

Once bacteria has begun to affect the pulp tissue, it can multiply and grow, spreading the length of the canals, causing infection. The infection can cause dental abscesses, and can spread to other teeth if left untreated.

To perform a root canal, the dentist will use special instruments to drill into the affected tooth, in order to remove the infected tissue from the root canals. Once all the diseased tissue has been removed, the dentist cleans and rinses the tooth with antiseptic before it is sealed with a rubbery substance called gutta-percha and a dental crown applied to conceal the filling.

The procedure allows the tooth’s structure to remain intact; an otherwise healthy tooth does not require to be extracted by the dentist in order to alleviate the patient’s condition. Instead, by removing the cause of the infection, the problem is addressed without affecting the surrounding teeth, helping to preserve the patient’s bite alignment and strength.

Performed under anaesthetic by a dentist, root canals are no more uncomfortable than a normal filling and the procedure is very successful, with the tooth receiving root-canal treatment lasting many years when it would otherwise be extracted.

Contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Old Westbury and the neighboring areas, to learn if root canal treatment is appropriate in your case.

Our smile is often the first thing people notice about us, and a healthy smile is a trait many people find attractive. A healthy smile can also give the owner self-confidence, but similarly, a smile that looks tired can destroy one’s confidence and make them uncomfortable in social interaction. However, there is now an array of techniques that a cosmetic dentist can use to give your smile the perfect makeover.

Teeth whitening treatments, for example, can be used to address issues of discolored teeth that might look stained and dull. Depending on the level of staining, a cosmetic dentist can treat the complaint either with kits that the patient takes home, or in the dental office. While there are over-the-counter solutions available for teeth whitening, they often don’t give the same level of results as professional treatment, and professional whitening can even be done in a single day, thanks to recent advancements in the treatment, and the introduction of Zoom! Teeth Whitening.

Patients with gaps in their teeth or a narrow smile can have their smile restored with porcelain veneers. These small prosthetic dental aids affix over the patient’s natural teeth, helping to reconstruct the patient’s smile. The result is a smile that looks, feels and behaves natural. Veneers can also be used to conceal teeth that have been damaged.

For more serious smile reconstruction, perhaps due to the loss of a tooth, then dental implants offer a complete replacement. Small titanium pillars are placed into the patient’s gum tissue and allowed to bond with the jawbone. A dental crown is then affixed onto the pillar to provide a natural finish. The replacement provides great strength and support to surrounding teeth, preserving both the strength and pattern of the patient’s bite, aiding speech and looking great!

There are many more cosmetic dentistry techniques that can be used in a smile makeover, so whatever the complaint with your smile that is preventing you from showing it off to the full, you can be sure our team at East Hills Dental Associates, serving Long Island, will be able to make you smile again! Call 516-484-6600 to schedule your professional consultation.